Hey gang,

Finally got Dark Star One and finished it. It was a good game with some unique parts, but lacked some classic "freelancer-flight simulator" features. This post will describe parts of Dark Star One, but also compare it to games like Freelancer and Privateer the Darkening.

The universe is rather large in Dark Star One ... but limited in scope. There were plenty of systems ... but every system was VERY similar. Almost all systems had a trade station, and many had research stations and asteroids ... but beyond that, the systems were the same. This got VERY repetitive after awhile. Plus, unless you were in the storyline, you could ONLY dock at the trade stations. Freelancer had so many systems that were each diverse and unique (with trade lanes, planets, etc.). Privateer the Darkening had plenty of different systems, and unique bases that looked great.

Trade in Dark Star One was very limited. Each system had a set number of exports that never seemed to changed. Privateer the Darkening's trade was simple, but changed with certain news events. Freelancer had some cool trade effects (like perishable items that decreases the longer you had them). Basically, trade was EXTREMELY limited. Also, goods were not stored ON your ship, but attached via a cargo drone. This may fighting tedious (or you had to DROP the cargo to fight, and spend time picking it up again). Privateer the Darkening had Freighters you could hire ... or you could purchase a freighter yourself. Freelancer had freighter ships you could purchase as well (but you could not hire freighters).

Dark Star One only had 1 player controlled ship, that could be upgraded and modified (using alien artifacts collected throughout the galaxy). This alien upgrade was a cool feature at first ... but lost it's flavor after awhile. And, once you had all the artifacts, there was nothing else to do to change your ship (and you couldn't buy and try other ships). Both Freelancer and Privateer the Darkening had plenty of ships to purchase.

The storyline was interesting, but didn't captivate me too much.

The AI for the combatants were dry and repetitive as well. And once you collected all the artifacts and fully upgraded your ship ... few enemies could touch you.

Regardless of the repetitiveness and lack of features, the game is actually pretty good ... but it could have been better. It also has little replayability, and since I've completed the game, I wont be playing again anytime soon. It's a nice try at the "freelance-flight simulator."